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Fiji Scuba Diving Regions > Lau Group

Fiji Scuba Diving Regions 12. Lau Group

The Lau Group is made up of over 60 islands and atolls. Many of these are closer to Tonga than the main Fijian island of Viti Levu and Tongan influence is present throughout the Group. The people are fairer skinned than their Fijian counterparts and the language spoken in Southern Lau is a mix of Fijian and Tongan.

Many of the islands are limestone in nature and have rugged and steep cliffs with a myriad of caves to explore. Only the islands of Vanua Balavu, Lakeba and Kaimbu have accommodation, the later being one of the most exclusive resorts in Fiji. Otherwise, lodging is homestyle and provisions are basic.

The Lau Group officially belongs to Fiji, but has experienced a strong Tongan (Poly-nesian) influence in the past. Consisting of more than 60 tiny islands scattered across the Koro Sea, south-east of Vanua Levu and Viti Levu, some of Lau's island jewels are stunning, with their white powdery beaches and gently swaying coconut palms.

In the Lau group, you'll find dive sites featuring spectacular hard coral gardens, along with some huge orange seafans and a gigantic patch of cabbage coral. The area is also known for its stunning visibility and pelagic encounters such as a variety of sharks and on occasion, even sailfish.

The reefs found in this isolated group consist of some of the most pristine hard coral gardens in the world. Soft corals and sea whips occur in some of the deeper sites, but are less common than elsewhere in Fiji.

Due to Lau's remoteness, most reefs are only reached by live-aboard. Here, you'll find dive sites such as Walagi featuring spectacular hard coral gardens, along with some huge orange seafans and a gigantic patch of cabbage coral. The area is also known for its stunning visibility and pelagic encounters such as a variety of sharks and on occasion, even sailfish.